White Tigers in KV: District to buy new white football helmets

Kirksville School Board unanimously approved nearly $23,000 in purchases for the football team

Taylor Muller

A tiger may not be able to change its stripes, but when the Kirksville Tigers take the field next fall they’ll be sporting a different color.

The Kirksville R-III School Board approved the purchase of 60 new Schutt “Vengeance” football helmets sporting an all-white background to replace the Tigers’ previous black.

Kirksville Superintendent Patrick Williams said the district was preparing to replace a majority of its helmets due to either damage or end-of-life cycles and recommended the district switch to white to reduce heat absorption.

The $14,940 purchase through Viking Athletic Goods is intended to fulfill the needs of the freshman, junior varsity and varsity football teams.

The board also approved the purchase of 40 new “Air Series” shoulder pads from Viking Athletic Goods for $7,960 during Wednesday night’s meeting.

“These newer helmets and pads are cooler and lighter and have a higher safety rating than before,” Williams said.

The shift from black to white paint on the helmets will mean a difference in direct sunlight of up to 20 degrees, district Athletic Director Scott Latham told the board, in addition to improved player safety.

“These are the best helmets you can get right now with the concussion ratings and all that,” he said.

The school board also unanimously approved the purchase of 35 new Schlage security locks for high school classrooms from Negwer Door Systems for $9,644.

The locks were described to the board as dual-locking security locks which can be secured from the inside of the classroom for additional security.

In other notes, candidacy filing opened Tuesday for the two seats currently held by Jeff Brawner and Larry Logston on the Kirksville R-III School Board. Filings are accepted at the Kirksville Administration Building through 5 p.m., Jan. 15, 2013.